There are many different reasons for wanting to enter the small business ownership arena. Our mission is to arm acquisition entrepreneurs with the full M&A toolkit they need to turn small‑business ownership from a W-2 day-dream into a reality. We are transparent about the extraordinary amount of effort involved in the process. Search and more importantly, small business ownership, will not be easy— it demands discipline, grit, and an enormous amount of persistence. Remember, the "Search" process is only the beginning of your journey, and we are here to help you turn that into a reality. We have deep respect for anyone willing to shoulder that responsibility and take the leap into entrepreneurship.
SMBootcamp was founded because of the frustration in endless theory and zero practical guidance by "gurus" and "experts". Having spent years closing deals in institutional M&A, we distilled our frameworks— real case studies, real skills, and real stories—into a focused curriculum for small‑business acquisitions. SMBootcamp isn't about theory, and it wasn't written in a book. SMBootcamp is the tactical training we wish we’d had when starting in the small business acquisition industry, developed through countless transactions and trial and error in the real world.
Sam is an active investor and leading educator in the SMB/ETA community. After practicing M&A law with Foley & Lardner, and working as a CPA at Price Waterhouse, Sam followed his passion for business and entrepreneurship by acquiring and growing more than a dozen small companies in various industries, including dumpster rental, manufacturing, real estate services, commercial fencing, HVAC, and aquatics management, among others. Today, he is also a leading educator of acquisition entrepreneurs via SMBootcamp. Sam has extensive experience as serial investor in SMB acquisitions via Pursuant Capital, supporting numerous entrepreneurs in their “ETA” journeys. Sam is also a co-founder of SMB Law Group, a law firm focused exclusively on supporting SMB buyers and SMBash, a conference centered around small business acquirers, operators, and service providers.
Most recently, Sam co-founded Perimeter Solutions Group (PSG), a commercial fencing platform, and led its growth through organic growth initiatives and strategic M&A, culminating in a successful exit to Bertram Capital in 2024. Sam holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Florida. He is a licensed attorney and CPA in Florida.
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Drew began his career as an M&A attorney at Frost Brown Todd, where he closed over 30 transactions totaling ~$500 million across founder‑owned businesses, independent sponsors, and private equity deals. He later served as VP of Portfolio Management at Bionatus, a venture studio supporting early-stage companies, before joining one of its portfolio businesses, Bluon, as SVP of Sales. At Bluon, Drew drove revenue growth nearly 10x in just two years and expanded distribution nationwide, gaining hands-on operational experience scaling a small business.
In 2024, Drew joined the SMBootcamp team to lead our SMB Loan Support brokerage service and strengthen partnerships with top MBA search‑fund programs. As SMB Educator, he draws on his hands‑on M&A and operational experience to empower self‑funded searchers with the financial and deal‑structuring skills they need to close deals. Drew holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson, a JD from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, and a BS in Finance from the University of Louisville.
Zach began his career at Crosstree Capital, a boutique investment bank in Tampa, FL, specializing in buy-side advisory and M&A consulting. After Crosstree Capital, Zach joined Raymond Jame's investment banking, focusing on middle-market M&A transactions generating between $20M to $80M of EBITDA in the Commercial & Industrial Services and Building Products & Distribution sectors with $1.3B+ in total transaction value. Prior to his investment banking experience, Zach gained hands-on experience in small business working for family-owned general contracting and roofing businesses in Southwest Virginia.
Since 2024, Zach has focused on small business platform and add-on acquisitions with Pursuant Capital. In addition to his Pursuant Capital investment experience, Zach has played an active role in educating acquisition entrepreneurs via SMBootcamp. Zach earned his B.S. in Finance and Risk Management & Insurance from the University of South Carolina.
John began his career as an equity research analyst at BB&T, covering the Aerospace and Defense sector. Following his equity research role, John transitioned into investment banking with the goal of gaining the exposure and skill set needed to one day pursue his entrepreneurial passions. During his banking career, John advised companies across healthcare, industrial, education and legal services verticals. In the summer of 2024, John decided to take the plunge and start his own self-funded search to acquire and operate a small business. He launched Shoreline Strategy Partners with a long-term holdco mindset, aiming to acquire and grow enduring SMBs with sustainable differentiators.
In 2024, John joined SMBootcamp as the lead Searcher Successs Coach , where he mentors aspiring acquisition entrepreneurs through the Accelerated Success program. His prior experience in banking and his current work as a self-funded searcher/SMB owner give him a perspective that bridges both the analytical and operational sides of the SMB world. John earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Outside of work, he is an outdoor enthusiast and devoted dog dad to a five-year-old Cavalier King Charles.
At SMBootcamp, we believe real learning happens by doing, not just watching. That’s why our modules are built around case studies and interactive discussions. You don’t just hear about deal sourcing, valuation, or financing, you execute on an actual business. We layer in expert-led diligence discussions for negotiating with brokers, analyzing Quality of Earnings, structuring SBA debt, and more so you can learn in the same way you’ll face while Searching.
SMBootcamp doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom. You’ll join a vetted cohort of fellow acquisition entrepreneurs who become sounding boards for your questions and accountability partners for your Search. Through monthly all-alumni calls and an active Slack community, you stay connected to a network to help you along in your Search.
Our message is anything but the flashy, get‑rich‑quick formula seen in much of the ETA community, focusing instead on honest, straightforward guidance. By laying out both the real challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship through acquisition, we ensure you make informed decisions and are fully prepared for the work ahead.
